Texas Stars Team Up with Canine Companions to Help Raise Future Service Dog
Sep 4, 2025CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, have teamed up with Canine Companions® to help raise and follow the journey of a Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy, who will be trained to become a service dog with the help of a local volunteer.
Starting Monday, September 8, the Stars will turn to their fan base to decide on a name for the puppy, who will be trained to become a future service dog for a military veteran or a child or adult with disabilities. The team plans to introduce the puppy to the fans at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park during Military Appreciation Weekend on November 7-8. As part of his journey, the puppy will make special visits to the arena for select games and community events, meeting the fans, players and staff while learning the important socialization skills and confidence required of a Canine Companions® service dog.
The Stars will announce the puppy’s future appearances at games and other events through the team’s social media pages and website, once a name has been chosen.
Canine Companions® is a national nonprofit—founded in 1975—that provides expertly trained service dogs to adults, children and veterans, all at no cost to the recipient. The nonprofit has eight locations across the country serving all 50 states and is celebrating 50 years of opening a door toward greater independence for people with disabilities as the first and largest provider of service dogs. Learn more at canine.org.